PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Variant Investments, an SEC-registered alternative credit investment manager with nearly $3 billion in assets under management, today announced the appointment of Christopher Neill as Head of Institutional Sales as it continues its expansion into the institutional market.
Neill has 25 years of experience in institutional sales, business development and client relationships with institutions, intermediaries, and high-net-worth families. He reports to Ryan Warren, Director of Investor Relations.
“We believe Variant’s asset-based lending evergreen solutions, targeting differentiated and alternative credit strategies, are well-suited to the needs of institutional asset owners,” Warren said. “Chris has the expertise and record of success in developing and growing institutional relationships, and we’re pleased to have him on board to lead this important effort at Variant.”
Before joining Portland-based Variant, Neill was Head of Institutional Relationships for Aptus Capital Advisors where he helped introduce a hedged equity solution in an active ETF format to more than 100 institutions, bringing together his experience in sales with investment research and portfolio management. Before that, he was Director of Institutional Sales for Jensen Investment Management, Head of Institutional Relationships at Thomas White International, Senior Portfolio Strategist for Thornburg Investment Management and Vice President, Portfolio Manager for BNY Asset Management.
Neill holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Barry University, Andreas School of Business and an MBA from Columbia University. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Funds managed by Variant target uncorrelated income-generating assets in niche private asset-based lending markets. The Variant Alternative Income Fund (NICHX), an interval fund with more than $2.8 billion in assets, invests in specialty finance, litigation finance, royalties, and other income-generating opportunities outside the investment mainstream. The Variant Impact Fund (IMPCX), an interval fund with more than $90 million in assets, seeks to provide a high level of current income while also aiming to target investment opportunities that support financial inclusion, equitable growth, and responsible consumption, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Variant Alternative Lending Fund, the firm’s newest vehicle launched in November 2024, is an asset-based lending strategy offering U.S. and international investors access to a diversified portfolio of income-generating assets through primarily senior secured credit facilities. A prominent investment adviser has committed an initial $36 million to the Variant Alternative Lending Fund.
About Variant Investments
Established in 2017, Portland, Oregon-based Variant Investments is an SEC-registered alternative credit manager. Variant’s strategies are focused on uncorrelated income-generating private investments in niche markets and are offered to investors through closed-end interval and tender offer funds. For more information, visit www.variantinvestments.com.
